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The Weekender: Lighted Boat Parade Expected to be Largest Ever

Check out what's happening in San Rafael this weekend.

Lighted Boat Parade

When: Saturday, Dec. 22

Where: San Rafael Canal

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

The Marin County maritime community and residents throughout the county celebrate the unofficial beginning of the holiday season with the annual "Lighted Boat Parade" in the San Rafael Canal.  An estimated 80 to 100 beautifully lit boats will participate in this year's parade, expected to be one of the largest ever.

TV and radio personality Celeste Perry will emcee this year's parade.  Community Action Marin is proud to bring this annual holiday event to Marin County in appreciation for 46 years of support from its residents and local businesses.

For more information, visit www.lightedboatparade.org

Marin On Ice Holiday Skating Rink

When: Every day

Where: The Mall at Northgate, 5800 Northgate Mall

Time: All day

Cost: $15

Located at the Northgate Mall in San Rafael, the outdoor ice rink features real ice and hosts daily ice skating, birthday parties, private ice time and special events. Skaters will be able to skate in the sunshine during the day, and under the stars at night. The rink will be open daily from Nov. 10 to Jan. 13.

Art on the Farm Exhibit and Fundraiser

When: Through Jan. 11

Where: Art Works Downtown, 1337 4th St.

Time: 10 a.m.

Cost: Free

Stop by Art Works Downtown and see the holiday fundraising exhibit for Marin Organic's Farm Field Studies Program. The exhibit is a collaboration between Art Works Downtown, Marin Organic, Marin History Museum and Art on the Farm.  Celebrate art and local farms in a fun and educational manner. There are over 65 artists that will be displayed through out the entire 40,000-square-foot art center.

Looking for more to do this weekend? Check out all the events listed for the weekend on our calendar.

Do you have an event going that is not in our calendar? Well, our calendar is open for everyone to post your own events and have them go live on the site right away.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Kevin Moore May 11, 2013 at 04:20 pm
It would be nice if the comments section had "Thumbs up / Thumbs down" like the PressRead More Democrat.
Bob April 6, 2013 at 05:20 pm
Check with the San Rafael planning commission and get the low-down on why they turned down aRead More developer who submitted his plans to demolish and rebuild a mixed commercial/residential building at 2nd and B. That's directly across the street from SVDP, and a notorious loitering spot. It's currently a run-down box building that's long past its prime. The developer came in with a beautiful plan, and it was denied for, among other things, because it was not in keeping with the "Victorian era" of the others, and because the city was afraid people would store their bikes on the balconies. Take a look at it. It's the most run-down corner in the downtown area. A great way for a small town to thrive and achieve an identity, is to get people living there. The city makes it extremely difficult with their rigid design board, and archaic operations that remind me of private industry in the 70s. Oh, and then they approved Target - completely disregarding the data from our neighbors up north, as well as other small towns.
Scott Adams April 4, 2013 at 07:08 pm
Tim, I am aware of many who want to increase the housing density downtown. I am also aware thereRead More has been objections particularly around the bus and future SMART station. It seems having commercial use at street level and housing above is favored by the city. It would definitely help bring people downtown. Other elements besides safety, includes maintenance, on going activities and marketing. I made reference to Healdsburg which is a good case study. They endorsed a study by urban planners around 1990. It took until 2000 when Hotel Healdsburg opened and then the downtown took off. They have one big asset and that is their city park which is where they have ongoing activities. Public Spaces such as this offer a sense of place and acts as a magnet. If you go two or three block away from the park, Healdsburg is just another sleepy little town of 11,000. Sure the wine country is a tourist attraction, but according to the County Visitor's Bureau Marin has 12 million visitors a year who enjoy our natural environment and 80% leave and go elsewhere in the evening.
Tim H April 4, 2013 at 04:41 pm
Thank you all for your interest in this topic. Scott, are you aware of any new multifamily or mixedRead More use housing in downtown on the horizon? Someone in another article mentioned the need for greater density in the downtown area. It seems like greater density could make San Rafael a more attractive place to bring business. Maybe it's me being optimistic, but certain areas seem ripe for development which could be a catalyst for improving downtown. Just curious if others had any perspective of this issue.